2nd Biennial ACATA Conference
Theme: Transforming Educational Assessment with Adaptive Technological Innovations
Date: September 9–12, 2025
Venue: To be added
Introduction
The rapid integration of technology in educational assessment is revolutionising teaching and learning across the globe. As digital transformation continues to reshape education, the need for innovative and adaptive assessment strategies becomes more crucial than ever. Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, blockchain, data analytics, and immersive technologies are redefining how students learn, how educators teach, and how assessments are conducted.
Recognising the significance of these advancements, the Association of Computer Adaptive Testing in Africa (ACATA), in partnership with …. is convening this conference to explore transformative technologies that enhance assessment processes, and drive equity in education. The event will bring together researchers, policymakers, educators, and industry experts to share insights, showcase cutting-edge research, and foster collaborations that will shape the future of educational assessment and digital learning in Africa and beyond.
This conference serves as a platform to bridge the gap between traditional and technology-driven assessment methods, ensuring that learners are adequately prepared for the evolving demands of the 21st-century workforce.
Sub-Themes
We invite quality research papers on the following sub-themes:
- AI and Machine Learning in Educational Assessment
- Digital and Immersive Technologies
- Data Analytics and Predictive Modeling for Student Performance
- Cybersecurity, Ethics, and Data Privacy in Digital Assessment
- Blockchain and Credentialing in Education
- Innovative Pedagogies and Adaptive Assessment Technologies
- Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusivity in Tech-Driven Assessment
- Policy, Governance, and Industry Collaboration in Educational Technology
- Entrepreneurship, EdTech Startups, and Commercialization of Assessment Technologies
- The Future of Lifelong Learning in the Digital Age
Keynote Speaker
Distinguished speakers from academia and industry will deliver keynote addresses on emerging trends in digital assessment in education.
Participants for the Conference
The forum is open to:
- Researchers in educational assessment
- Educators and policymakers
- Industry professionals in educational technology and innovation
- Students and early-career researchers interested in digital learning advancements
Registration Fees
- Physical Participation: $350
- Student Registration: $200
- Virtual Participation: $100
Important note for students: To support graduate students’ research, ACATA will provide up to 50% conference registration support (depending on the registration type) to a maximum of five postgraduate students to present their research findings at the conference. Once the paper proposal is accepted, the Lead Author can apply for conference registration support. ACATA strongly encourages postgraduate students to participate and present their CAT research findings at the conference. This is a great opportunity for students to interact with scholars in the field and obtain feedback for their scholarly work.
The Extended Abstracts
Description: The extended abstract involves a single paper with the following components: (a) Background, (b) Purpose and Significance of the Study, (c) Theoretical Framework, (d) Method, (e) Results or Preliminary Findings, (d) Discussion/Conclusion and (f) Reference list (In line with APA 7th edition).
Length: All extended abstracts should include a title- of 15 words or fewer (the titles for all accepted extended abstracts will be included in the conference program) with no more than 900 words excluding references. Please note that WE WILL NOT CONSIDER any proposal that exceeds the word limit.
Language/Format: Extended abstract should be prepared in English (British). All proposals must be submitted according to the prompts in the online submission system. You will be asked to upload a Word document (.doc or .docx) that includes the required components as specified above. Do not include any identifying information (e.g., author, affiliation) in the proposal and the filename (e.g., initials), as all submissions will undergo a blind review.
Eligibility: Both ACATA members and non-members may submit extended abstracts for review. An individual may not appear as the first author on more than two proposals. The proposal must present original research that has not been published elsewhere. If the proposal content is adapted from a previously presented or published study, it must include significant new insights to be considered.
Multiple submissions: You may submit a proposal that has been submitted elsewhere but has not been accepted at the time of submission to the ACATA conference. Once the proposal has been accepted elsewhere, you must notify the Conference Chair to withdraw your submission immediately. You may not present the paper with the same content at more than one conference.
Submission Information
Extended abstracts are accepted beginning April 1, 2025, and ending on May 15, 2025 (by 11:59 pm, SAST). All proposals must be submitted electronically before the due date through the online submission system at https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/ACATA2025
Email submissions will NOT be accepted.
Other Important Dates:
- Submission Acceptance Notification: July 1, 2025
- Submission of Full Papers: August 15, 2025
- Conference Dates: September 9–12, 2025
Procedures and Policies
Review process: All submissions will be subjected to blind review by educational assessment experts. Evaluation criteria include the following: purpose and significance (originality and relevance to the conference theme), background (literature review), theoretical grounding, method (design, data collection, and analysis), results or preliminary findings; discussion/conclusion (implications for research and/or practices); quality of writing (clarity, organization, and professional style) and alignment to APA 7th Edition citation/referencing style. Proposals not following the guidelines specified above will be rejected immediately.
Notification: Proposal submitters will receive notification of the decision by the July 1, 2025. Only the first/corresponding author (for co-authored papers) will be notified of the acceptance (or non-acceptance) of the submission. The first author/corresponding author is responsible for notifying all participants involved.
Withdrawal: All presenting authors must register for the conference on or before September 1, 2025. Failure to register for the conference will result in the submission being removed from the program without further notice. If you are unable to attend the conference, please notify the Conference LOC Secretary (jumokeo@uj.ac.za) before September 1, 2025, to withdraw your presentation from the conference program. After September 1, 2023, no withdrawal will be accepted, and it is the responsibility of the presenter(s) to delegate another person to present.
Special Journal Issues
Papers presented at the 2nd ACATA International Conference will be considered for publication in a Special Issue of a DHET accredited Journal. All submitted papers will have the opportunity to be considered for this Special Journal Issue. The paper selection will be carried out during the peer review process as well as at the conference presentation stage. Submitted papers must not be under consideration by any other journal or publication. The final decision for paper selection will be made based on peer review reports by the Guest Editors and the Editor-in-Chief jointly. Selected full-text papers will be published online.
Conference Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities
The ACATA International Conference offers the opportunity to become a conference Testing Organisation Sponsor (National and International) or exhibitor (National and International). These are described below:
Testing Organisation Sponsor- National (R50,000)
This option is for testing organizations operating within Southern Africa which will be explicitly acknowledged during the presidential address and will be able to include company literature in the attendee registration area. The organisation’s logo will be shown prominently at the bottom of the initial session announcement screen of plenary sessions and on the conference website and will redirect a click on logo to sponsor web site. You may include a 200-word profile of your organization for the conference website.
Testing organisation Sponsor- International ($2000)
This option is for testing organizations operating outside Southern Africa which will be explicitly acknowledged during the presidential address and will be able to include company literature in the attendee registration area. The organisation’s logo will be shown prominently at the bottom of the initial session announcement screen of plenary sessions and on the conference website and will redirect a click on logo to sponsor web site. You may include a 200-word profile of your organization for the conference website.
Exhibitor – National (R30,000)
This option is for non-testing organizations operating within Southern Africa which will be explicitly acknowledged during the presidential address and will be able to include company literature in the attendee registration area. The organisation’s logo will be shown prominently at the bottom of the initial session announcement screen of plenary sessions and on the conference website and will redirect a click on logo to sponsor web site. You may include a 100-word profile of your organization for the conference website.
Exhibitor- International ($1000)
This option is for non-testing organizations operating outside Southern Africa which will be explicitly acknowledged during the presidential address and will be able to include company literature in the attendee registration area. The organisation’s logo will be shown prominently at the bottom of the initial session announcement screen of plenary sessions and on the conference website and will redirect a click on logo to sponsor web site. You may include a 100-word profile of your organization for the conference website.
Opportunity for sponsorship and partnership is also open.
Please, download the Conference Sponsorship Request HERE
Please, download the Conference Partnership Request HERE.
Enquiries & Contact Information
For further inquiries, contact:
Conference Secretariat
Email: 2025conference@acata.org
Phone: +27 73 761 1700; +234 806 022 6110 (Also available on WhatsApp)